Parkinson's Disease

Essential Tremor

Question:

My son suffers with essential tremor. It has always been his dream to study medicine. Will this condition hamper his chances or can something be done to alleviate the shaking hands?

Answer:

Essential tremor is not the same as Parkinson's disease. Overall, a person needs to realize any physical limitation that any medical problem may pose, and for any kind of tremor this includes any occupation that may require fine motor skills. There are many people in medicine that have essential tremor and have focused in a field where fine motor control of the hands is not as demanding. Further, there are medications that can be tried to lessen bothersome tremor. There are also surgical interventions available for debilitating medication refractory tremor. It is suggested your son discuss the essential tremor with his established doctors, and possibly obtain personal consultation with a specialist.

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